Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos
The Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos (Spanish for "Castle of the Christian Monarchs"), also known as the Alcázar of Córdoba, is a medieval alcázar (Arabic: القصر, romanized: Al-Qasr, lit. 'The Palace') located in the historic centre of Córdoba (in Andalusia, Spain), next to the Guadalquivir River and near the Mosque-Cathedral. The fortress served as one of the primary residences of Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon.
| Alcázar of the Christian Monarchs | |
|---|---|
| Native name Spanish: Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos | |
The "torre del Homenaje" and the "torre de los Leones", view from the gardens | |
| Type | Alcázar (castle/palace) |
| Location | Cordoba, Spain |
| Coordinates | 37°52′38″N 4°46′55″W |
| Built | 1328 AD (on the site of earlier structures) |
| Architectural style(s) | Spanish, Spanish Gothic |
UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
| Type | Cultural: |
| Criteria | i, ii, iii, iv |
| Designated | 1984 |
| Part of | Historic Centre of Cordoba |
| Reference no. | 313 |
| Region | Europe |
It is a building of military character whose construction was ordered by the King Alfonso XI of Castile in the year 1328, on previous constructions (the Islamic-era Umayyad Alcázar, also the previous residence of the Roman Governor and the Customs). The architectural ensemble has a sober character in its exterior and splendid in its interior, with the magnificent gardens and courtyards that maintain a Mudéjar inspiration.
The Alcázar has been declared a Cultural Interest Heritage since 1931. It forms part of the Historic Center of Córdoba that was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994.